Apple Rev Up CarPlay

Apple are rolling out CarPlay, flagged as a safer way to use your iPhone in the car.

The in-car technology lets the driver use Apple Maps, listen to music, listen to messages and make calls, all with Siri's help.

Siri will read drivers' messages out and let them dictate responses or make a call.

Drivers control CarPlay from the car's native interface or via push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel.

It gives access to iTunes music, podcasts, audiobooks, and iTunes Radio, which Siri will pull up. It also supports apps including Spotify and iHeartRadio.

CarPlay will be available in selected cars shipping in 2014, and the exact schedule is up to the car makers themselves.

Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay this week, while BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota too will have the technology.

CarPlay works with Maps to anticipate destinations based on recent trips via contacts, emails or texts, and provides routing instructions, traffic conditions and ETA.

Siri gives turn-by-turn directions, along with Maps.

Apple CarPlay is available as an update to iOS 7 and works with Lightning-enabled devices, including iPhone 5s, 5c and 5.

"CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing.

"iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction.